George Virgil McKown, the youngest of seven children, was born August 7, 1943 to Harvey and Vevamae (Isom) McKeown. Following a brief battle with cancer, George fell asleep in death on January 23, 2022 at the age of 78. 

As a young man, George attended Benton Consolidated High School in his hometown of Benton, IL. Upon graduating, he went on to join the military, serving in both the Navy and Air Force for a total of eleven years. It was also at this time, George would meet and marry the love of his life, Sheila Hammonds, in 1963. During their 58 years of marriage, George and Sheila’s family expanded to include four children and a shared love of national parks, nature preserves, and especially the St. Louis Zoo. 

While a quiet man, George was known for his witty sense of humor and his generosity. When you came to his house, you were home; all were welcomed and left well-fed. Golf, guitar, pool, classic country music, and down-home cooking were among his other hobbies. Through the years, George was also known for adopting rescue animals, especially senior dogs. The love was mutual; his pit bull, Lady, could always be found at his side. 

George enjoyed many accomplishments during his lifetime, but his greatest came on March 24, 1996 when he was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Six months later, he would retire from the U.S. Postal Service, to join the ranks of full-time ministers. The same diligence he applied to his ministry, he also gave to his public talks and various theocratic assignments. 

George cherished Bible prophecies and their relation to world events. As part of his Bible-based hope, he longed to see his loved ones resurrected to a paradise earth. And now we, as his family and friends, share the same longing to be reunited with him. 

George was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife: Sheila K. (Hammonds) McKown; one brother: Charles A. Sweeten (Shirley); four children: Tonya Chwarczinski, Yalonda Bates (Joe), Lynora Benton (Elvers), and Lindell McKown (Jeanne); nine grandchildren: Mica Curiel (Rigoberto), Kallie Routt, Sierra Benton, Dawson Benton, and Raymond Benton, Kameron Evans, Kayla Michalik (Timothy), Tyson Bandy, and Tristan McKown; as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews, too numerous to name.